Woodworking tool



April 1937. 'r. HEDGPETH 2,076,511

WOODWORKING TOOL Filed May 2, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 'r. L. HEDGPETHWOODWORKING TOOL Filed May 2, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 6,1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 7 Claims.

The present invention relates to wood working tools, and is particularlyconcerned with wood working tools of the type usually termed shapers.Some of the features of the invention, however, are of universalapplication to other types of tools, and I do not wish to be limited inthe application of my invention except as set forth in the appendedclaims.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedshaper having an improved form of chuck for securing cutters of varioussizes whereby the same shaper may be utilized for performing differentkinds of work upon various sizes of material.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved shaperstructure by means of which cutters or other tools of different sizesand proportions may be very quickly substituted one for the other so asto change the adjustment of the machine for different types of work.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved driveshaft arrangement, including means for adjusting the vertical positionof the drive shaft and the cutting tool carried thereby which is moresimple, economical, sturdy, and capable of more efficiently performingits functions than the devices of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedconstruction and mode of adjustment of the guides for maintaining thework in the proper position with respect to the cutting tool.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the three sheets of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a shaper constructed according to thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the shaper taken on the plane ofthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the adjustable support for themovable work guide on the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line4-4 of Fig. 2 showing the details of construction of the clamping meansfor maintaining the drive shaft bearing at predetermined height.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line5-5 in Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing thedetails of construction of the adjusting mechanism for lifting orlowering the supporting bearing for the drive shaft.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6,6-of Fig. 1, showing the details of construction of the stand, table, anddrive shaft.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the plane ofthe axis of the shaft spindle showing details of construction of theclutch and associated parts for supporting the cutter.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the line 88 ofFig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing further detailsof construction of the stand, table, and adjusting mechanism for raisingor lowering the spindle.

The shaper which is indicated in its entirety by the numeral l0preferably comprises a table II, stand l2, guard I3, cutter I4, driveshaft or spindle l5, and other associated parts which will be describedin detail, for permitting the shaper to perform its functions mostefliciently. The stand or base I2 preferably comprises a cast metalmember which may be formed with three vertical walls l6, l1, l8 (Fig. 2)which are joined together in box-like form in substantially right anglesto each other, and provided at the top with attaching flanges IQ forsecuring the table,

and at the bottom with attaching flanges or feet for securement to somebench or other supporting member. The flanges 20 are of course providedwith openings 2| comprising elongated slots for receiving the boltswhich secure the stand I2 to the base. Likewise the attaching flanges H!at the top are provided with apertures 22 for receiving the screw bolts23 which are threaded into the threaded bores 24 formed in lugs 25carried by the lower side of the table top II.

The table or work supporting member II also preferably comprises a castmetal member which is provided with a downwardly extending border flange26 for the purpose of reinforcing the edge and it may also be providedwith a plurality of transverse reinforcing ribs 21 on its lower side, aswell as a plurality of lugs 25 previously mentioned, for receiving theattaching screws 23. The upper surface 28 of the table is preferablymachined to a flat plane surface across which the work pieces areadapted to slide and by means of which they are guided and maintained ina predetermined vertical plane with respect to the cutter l4. At apredetermined centrally located point the table I I is formed with asubstantially circular aperture. 29 bordered by a downwardly extendingflange 30, the aperture 28 being located to pass the spindle I 5 andbeing of'suiilcient size to accommodate the chuck and other associatedstructures.

The table II preferably supports the guard structure l3 which mayconsist of a cast metal member which is formed with a pair of flatattaching flanges 3|, 32 each having a considerable area for engagingthe table top. The attaching flanges3l, 32 may be formed on their lowersides with transversely extending protruding portions or guides.33, 34,preferably located to be formed with the slots 35, 36. The guideportions 33, 34 on the bottom of the guard may be machined to a flatplane surface, both of the surfaces being in the same plane so thatthese surfaces are the clamping and engaging surfaces by means of whichthe guard is secured on the table and against which the clamping bolts31, 38 act.

The apertures 35, 36 are preferably in the form of elongated slots sothat the guard may be slid upward and downward across the table in Fig.1, that is, horizontally on the table with respect to the cutter 4. Theclamping bolts 31, 38 preferably comprise substantially non-circularmetal rods which are provided at their lower ends with the reducedthreaded portion 33 adapted to be threaded into the threaded bores 46which are provided in the table top H.

A washer 4| may be provided to increase the bearing surface at theshoulder 42 and the clamping bolt may be provided with a transverse pin43 at the top for engagement with the fingers. The pin 43 may be a driveflt in.a transverse bore in the bolt 31. In the event of the bolt beingtoo flrmly secured to be dislodged by means of pin 43, a wrench or othertool may also be applied to the non-circular metal rods of the bolt 31.

Between the two attaching flanges 3|, 32 of the guard l3, this guard ispreferably provided with a raised guard yoke 44 comprising an integralpart of the guard which extends upward at 45, horizontally at 46, anddownward at 41. The top portion 46 is preferably provided with a cut-outportion 48 for accommodating the cutter, the proportions being such thatthe cutter can never be brought into direct engagement. with any part ofthe guard when the guard is secured by its clamping bolts 31, 38. Thetop portion 46 also is cut back at the feed side of the cutter at 43 soas to permit the guide on that side to recede farther in that directionand to permit the desired depth of cut by means of the shaper cutter l4.

The attaching flange 32 also preferably supports a vertically extendingguide flange 50 which is provided with a horizontally extending slot 5|for receiving a screw bolt 52. The guide flange 50 preferably supports aguide: in the form of a flat wooden strip 53 which is of sufficientwidth to extend from the table top surface 28 to a point adjacent thetop of the guard 44. Wooden guide strip 53 may be secured in place bythe screw bolt 52 which extends through the wooden guide 53 and flange50, and is provided with a nut 54. The guide strip 53 is adapted toguide that portion of the work which has pwsed cutter I4 and itsposition is adjusted by means of the adjustment of the guard |3 on thebolts 31, 38.

The shaper is also preferably provided with a second additionallyadjustable guide strip 55 comprising a similar flat wooden strip whichis carried by the supporting flange or shoe 56 adjustably mounted on ashaft 51. The shoe 56 is likewise provided with an elongated slot 58 forreceiving the screw bolt 53 which passes through the wooden guide memberand through an aperture in the flange 55 to clamp the wooden guard onthe guide 56 by means of nut 68.

The supporting shoe or flange 56 also carries a diagonally andrearwardly projecting lug 6| which is'provided with a bore-or socket 62for receiving the reduced cylindrical end 63 of the shaft 51. End 63 ofshaft 51 may be clamped in its socket 62 by means of a set screw 54threaded into a transverse bore. The attaching flange extending key-wayor slot 10 and screw bolt 68 is provided with a reduced cylindricalportion- H which isadapted to project into the slot 10, the shaftslidably engaging the end portion 1| and the latter preventing rotationof the shaft 51 as the shaft slides back and forth. 5

The bearing portion 65 is provided with a smaller counterbore 12 at itsouter end for roi-atively receiving the adjustment shaft 13. Ad-

justment shaft 13 is provided at its outer end with a crank comprising ahub 14 and handle 15. The hub 14 has a bore 15 for receiving the end ofshaft 13 to which it is secured by a transverse pin 16 which passesthrough both the hub and shaft and is riveted over at its ends. Thecrank may also be provided with the counterbalance 11 for balancing theweight of the handle 15. The shaft 13 is preferably formed with anannular flange or thrust bearing 18 located just inside the bore 66, thehub 14 acting as the opposite thrust bearing.

The inner end of shaft 13 is threaded as at 19 complementarily to thethreads in the threaded bore located in shaft 51. Thus rotation of theshaft 13 by crank 15 results in the progression forward or backward ofthe shaft 51 which carries the additionally adjustable guide 55. Ofcourse, the guide 55 .being carried by shaft 51 which in turn is carriedby bearing portion 65 and guard l3, guide 55 is likewise adjustable withthe guard l3.

The angle of the supporting flange 56 with respect to shaft 51 is suchthat the guide strip 55 is carried in a plane parallel to the guidestrip 53. Adjustable guide strip 55 may be brought into closer proximityto the cutter M by means of the adjustment of the shaft 51longitudinally in its bearing 65 and at the same time the guide 55 maybe moved horizontally in a direction at right angles to the plane of thetwo guides 53, 55 to determine the depth of cut of the shaper cutter 4.

The stand I2 is also preferably provided with means for supporting anadjustable bearing sleeve 8| by means of which the shaper spindle ordrive shaft |5 maybe supported for rotation and for adjustment in avertical plane with respect to the top of the table This supportingmeans preferably comprises the vertically ex tending web 82 integrallyjoined to the horizontally extending webs 83, 84 which are carried bythe side wall l6 and which at their edges support the substantiallycylindrical bearing sleeve houssecured in fixed adjusted position bymeans of a lock nut 9| and it prevents the rotation of the sleeve 8| asthe sleeve slides upward and downward in the housing 85. The housing isalso preferably provided with a vertically extending slot 92 located inthe side opposite the supporting webs 82--84 and adapted to pass thestud bolt 93 which has its reduced threaded end 94 threaded home in thethreaded bore of bearing sleeve 8|. Stud bolt 93 has an enlargedcylindrical portion 96 which may be provided with a washer 91 and whichmay rotatably support a roller sleeve 98, the roller sleeve beingretained thereon by head 99.

The stand I2 is also provided with means for supporting and raising orlowering the bearing sleeve 8| which may comprise the cam member I88provided with a diagonally and upwardly extending slot I8I. The cammember I88 may consist of a cast metal member which is provided with thefiat plate portion I82 surrounding the slot I8I and with thehorizontally extending lugs I83, I 84 which extend at right angles tothe fiat plate portion I82. Lugs I83, I84 are provided with horizontallyextending bores I85, I88 which act as guideways for receiving the guiderods I81, I88. The stand side wall I8 is preferably provided with a pairof inwardly extending cast metal lugs I89, I I8 to provide additionalsupport for these guide rods I81, I88 which have their inner threadedends threaded into the bores III, H2 in the lugs I89, H8.

The outer ends of the guide rods I81, I88 are threaded into the boresH3, H4 located in the front wall I1 of the stand I2. Thus the guide rodsI81, I88 are fixedly mounted and are adapted to slidably support the cammember I88. The lower'lug I84 on cam member I88 is preferably providedwith a substantially larger body for providing material to form afollower which may be provided by forming a threaded bore I I5 in lugI84 parallel to the bore I86. The lug I84 may thus be caused toreciprocate by means of a threaded shaft II6, the inner end of whichthreads into the bore H5 and the outer end of which carries a crank II1of similar shape to the crank previously described. Crank H1 is likewisepinned to the shaft II6 as previously described with respect to crank 15and the shaft II6 may be provided with a thrust bearing H8 in the formof a collar which is secured just inside the front wall I1 by means of aset screw II9 threaded into the collar H8 and bearing against shaft H5.The edges of the slot I8I engage the roller 98 carried by lug 93. As thecam member I88 moves horizontally to the left in Fig. 8, the lower wallof the slot lifts the lug 93 and with it the bearing sleeve 8|.

The walls of slot I8I preferably fit the roller 98 quite closely so asto limit end play of the bearing sleeve 8| and spindle I5, and cam I 88may thus be used to definitely adjust the vertical position of thebearing sleeve 8| which carries this spindle I5. The bearing sleeve 8|prefer ably carries at each end an outer race I28, I2I

of the ball bearings I 22, which rotatably support the spindle I5. Theseouter races may be secured in bearing sleeve 8| by frictional or drivefit. The spindle I5 is preferably provided with substantiallycylindrical or gradually tapered portions I23, I24 which may be usedtosecure to the shaft the inner races I 25, I25 which may likewise have africtional or drive fit on the spindle I5.

The lower end of spindle I5 may comprise a cylindrical portion uponwhich is mounted the hub I21 of a drive pulley I28 preferably of the Vtype, the groove I29 being adapted to receive the V-shaped belt I38. Thepulley I28 may be secured on spindle I5 by means of a set screw I3Ipassing through the'hub and bearing against the shaft. At its upper endthe spindle I5 is preferably provided just above the ball bearing I28,I22, I25 with an integral cylindrical enlargement I32 which has itsperiphery threaded for receiving the adapter sleeve I39 having acomplementary internal thread. The upper end of spindle I5 is preferablyprovided with a fiat surface I35 having located in its center acylindrical axially extending lug I36 for the purpose of centeringaccurately the cutter and associated parts. Enlargement or head I32 isalso preferably provided with an eccentrically located pin I31 extendingvertically from its fiat top I35 and the pin I31 may be secured by adrive fit in the bore I38.

The upper end of spindle I5 is also provided with a chuck sleeve I39which may comprise a substantially cylindrical member preferably formedwith one or more fiat sides (Fig. 1) I48, for receiving a wrench orother tool. The chuck sleeve I39 has a vertically extending bore whichis threaded at |4I to engage the threaded head I32. Beyond the threaded'bore I4I the chuck sleeve I39 is provided with a frusto conical ortapered aperture I42 which is adapted to engage and center the lowertapered frusto conical body I43 of the tool holder I44.

The tool holder I44 also has a bore I45 for receiving the centering lugI38 and has an eccentrically located bore I46 for receiving the pin I31.The lower end I41 of the tool holder body is substantially fiat forengaging the fiat upper end of the chuck head I32 and the relativeproportions of the frusto conical body I43 and frusto conical bore I42are such that the flat end I41 of the tool holder body may be drawntightly against the fi'at end of the chuck head I32 by the sleeve I39.The tool holder is of course centered by the lug I36 in bore I46 andsecured against rotation by the pin I31 in bore I46.

Tool holder I44 also comprises an upwardly extending threaded shaft I48on which the shaper cutter may be secured. The shaper cutters havecylindrical bores for receiving the shaft I48 and the shaft is providedwith a securing nut I49 and a lock nut I58 for fixedly securing thecutter on the shaft. Cutters of various sizes and types may be employed,the cutter shown in Fig. 7 making a V-shaped groove while the cuttershown in Fig. 6 is adapted to form a board with the ordinary tongue usedon tongue and groove lumber.

The amount which is cut from the work piece I5I depends upon the settingof the guide member 55 with respect to the cutter, and after the workpiece passes the cutter it is further guided in its course by means ofthe guide member 53. The cutter may be raised or lowered with thespindle I5 to work upon the material at any elevation and thus thegroove formed for example in Fig. 6 may be formed at any desiredelevation with respect to the upper and lower surfaces of the work pieceIll.

The bearing sleeve housing 85 is also preferably provided with means forfixedly clamping the bearing sleeve in any predetermined position, the

details of which are shown in Fig. 4. Thus the bearing sleeve housingmay be provided with a laterally projecting clamp housing I52 whichcomprises a substantially cylindrical lug, the axis of which extendshorizontally and which is provided with a horizontal circular bore I58communicating with the vertical bore 85. A threaded bore I54 is formedin the rear wall of the clamp housing I52 and adapted to receive thethreaded end I55 of a clamping bolt I55. The clamping bolt I55 is formedwith a reduced cylindrical portion I5l which rotatably receives a clampsleeve I58.

Clamp shaft I55 is also provided with an enlarged cylindrical extensionI59 which is of sufficient length to extend out beyond the wall I8 whereit sup-ports a hand knob I50 which is secured thereto by means of a setscrew I6I. Between the cylindrical extension I59 and the reduced portionI55 there is an annular shoulder I62 which bears against the clampsleeve I58. Clamp sleeve I58 is a cylindrical member provided with abore I53 for receiving the cylindrical part I56 and its outer surface issubstantially cylindrical except for the portion I54 at the inner endwhich is curved complementarily to the bearing sleeve 8I or tapered.When the clamp sleeve I58 is urged inward by means of shaft I55 thesurface I54 engages the bearing sleeve 8| and forces the bearing sleeveinto engagement with the opposite side of the bore 86 thus clamping thehearing sleeve 8I in any predetermined vertical position.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved shaperstructure by means of which various cutters may be applied to the cutterspindle without the necessity for removing the spindle or reversing thespindle as is necessary in many of the devices of the prior art. Thespindle chuck is adapted to receive and secure the tool holders forvarious sizes of tools and the cutter may be changed very quickly bymerely removing the cutter with its tool holder by means of a wrenchapplied to the chuck sleeve I39. If the cutter is of such size that itwill go on the same tool holder it is only necessary to remove the twonuts I49, I50 which secure the cutter in place.

My shaper is also provided with the improved form of guard and guidearrangement by means of which both guides may be simultaneously adjustedand clamped in position with the screw bolts 31 and additionaladjustment may be secured for the guide member 55 which determines thedepth of cut by means of the threaded member I9 actuated by crank I5adjusting the shaft 51. The threaded member itself is adapted to holdthis guide in predetermined position without necessity for anyadditional clamp, but if desired the screw bolt 68 may perform theadditional function of more securely clamping this shaft 51 and guide 55in place.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, many modifications may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails set forth but desire to avail myself of all changes within thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shaper, the combination of a supporting base with a worksupporting table, said base having a spindle housing located inside thebase and extending vertically, said spindle housing having a verticallyextending bore, a bearing sleeve slidably mounted in said verticallyextending bore and having a transversely extending lug, a spindlerotatably mounted in said bearing sleeve and carrying a cutter, cammeans for adjusting the vertical position of said spindle byreciprocating said bearing sleeve, said cam means having a diagonallyand upwardly extending slot for engaging said lug, said cam means beingsiidably mounted on a pair of guide rods, and a threaded member forreciprocating said cam means in a horizontal direction on said guiderods to adjust said spindle.

2. In a shaper, the combination of a supporting 'base with a worksupporting table, said base having a spindle housing located inside thebase and extending vertically, said spindle housing having a verticallyextending bore, a bearing sleeve slidably mounted in said verticallyextending bore and having a transversely extending lug, a spindlerotatably mounted in said bearing sleeve and carrying a cutter, cammeans for adjusting the vertical position of said spindle byreciprocating said bearing sleeve, said cam means having a diagonallyand upwardly extending slot for engaging said lug, said cam means beingslidably mounted on a pair of guide rods, and a threaded member forreciprocating said cam means in a horizontal direction on said guiderods to adjust said spindle, said spindle housing having a laterallyprojecting extension for receiving a clamping sleeve, saidclampingsleeve engaging saidbearing sleeve, and threaded means extendingfrom said housing and engaging said clamping sleeve to force saidclamping sleeve into engagement with said bearing sleeve to secure saidspindle in any predetermined elevation.

3. In a shaper, the combination of a support comprising a base, with atable fixedly secured to said base, a pair of cylindrical guides carriedby said base and extending horizontally, a slider carried by said guidesand having a threaded bore, a threaded shaft engaging said threaded boreand having engagement with a bearing in said base, a crank on said shaftfor rotating said shaft and reciprocating said slider, said sliderhaving a diagonally upwardly extending slot, a verticallyextending slotcarried by said base, a bearing sleeve slidably mounted in said verticalsleeve, and means for preventing rotation of said bearing sleeve, ashaft rotatably mounted in said bearing sleeve by anti-friction bearingsat each end of said bearing sleeve, means carried by said bearing sleeveengaging in said diagonal slot, and a cutter carried by said shaftadjacent said table, said table having an aperture for passing saidcutter and shaft whereby the crank may be rotated to determine theelevation of said cutter with respect to said table. v

'4. In a wood working tool the combination of a supporting base with awork supporting table,

said base supporting a vertically extending spindle comprising a metalmember having a diagonally and upwardly extending slot for engaging saidlug, guide means for slidably mounting said cam means for movement in aplane transverse to the axis of the spindle, and a threaded member forreciprocating said cam means in said transverse plane on said guidemeans to adjust the elevation of said spindle with respect to saidtable.

5 In a wood working tool the combination of a supporting base with awork supporting table, said base supporting a vertically extendingspindle housing and said spindle housing having a vertically extendingbore, a bearing sleeve mounted in said bore and having a transverselyextending lug, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearing sleeve andcarrying a cutter, cam means for adjusting the vertical position of saidspindle by reciprocating said bearing sleeve, said cam means comprisinga metal member having a diagonally and upwardly extending slot forengaging said lug, guide means for slidably mounting said cam means formovement in a plane transverse to the axis of the spindle, and athreaded member for reciprocating said cam means in said transverseplane on said guide means to adjust the elevation of said spindle withrespect to said table, said spindle housing having a lateral extensionfor receiving a clamping member and means for urging said clampingmember into engagement with said bearing sleeve to secure said cutter ata predetermined elevation.

6. In a wood working tool the combination of a supporting base with awork supporting table, said base supporting a vertically extendingspindle housing and said spindle housing having a vertically extendingbore, a bearing sleeve mounted in said bore and having a transverselyextending lug, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearing sleeve andcarrying a cutter, cam

means for adjusting the vertical position of said spindle byreciprocating said bearing sleeve, said cam means comprising a metalmember having gaging said lug, guide means for slidably mounting saidcam means for movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the spindle,and a threaded member for reciprocating said cam means in saidtransverse plane on said guide means to adjust the elevation of saidspindle with respect to said table, said spindle housing having alateral extension for receiving a clamping member and means for urgingsaid clamping member into engagement with said bearing sleeve to securesaid cutter at a predetermined elevation, said latter means comprising athreaded member having a shoulder engaging said clamping member andhaving threaded engagement with said housing.

7. In a wood working tool the combination of a supporting base with awork supporting table, said base supporting a vertically extendingspindle housing and said spindle housing having a vertically extendingbore, a bearing sleeve mounted in said bore and having a transverselyextending lug, a spindle rotatably mounted in said bearing sleeve andcarrying a cutter, cam

means for adjusting the vertical position of said spindle byreciprocating said bearing sleeve, said cam means comprising a metalmember having a diagonally and upwardly extending slot for engaging saidlug, guide means for slidably mounting said cam means for movement in aplane transverse to the axis of the spindle, and a threaded member forreciprocating said cam means in said transverse plane on said guidemeans to adjust the elevation of said spindle with respect to saidtable, said guide means comprising a pair of rods having threaded ends,one end of each rod being mounted on said base and the other end of eachrod being secured to said spindle housing, said cam having boresslidably engaging said rods.

'I'HERQN L. HEDGPE'I'H.

